Scottish manufacturers see orders fall - CBI

The body’s survey showed that in the three months to July manufactured export orders were hit by the strengthening of sterling.

The Industrial Trends report revealed optimism about exports was down, after being positive in previous quarters.

Investment plans are also down on the survey published in April.

Total orders are expected to continue their downward trend, but at a slower pace.

The measures are taken by contrasting the number of companies reporting improvements with the number saying there are declines.

It found that 12 per cent of Scottish manufacturers surveyed reported the volume of new export orders was up in June to July, and 33 per cent said they were down.

That gives a balance of -21 per cent, the lowest rating since June 2009.

Domestic new orders increased for 17 per cent, while 31 per cent said they were down. The -14 per cent balance is a marked improvement on -31 per cent in the April results.

Hugh Aitken, director of CBI Scotland, said: “Manufacturers across the UK are under pressure from the stronger pound, which is knocking their export competitiveness in the EU particularly.

“Greater buoyancy in exports remains a missing element from the UK’s recovery and we would urge the Scottish government to continue to look at ways to support exporters, particularly small and medium-sized firms, to break into new markets.

“Trade missions, like the first minister’s visit to China, are an important way of promoting Scotland’s sought-after products and services around the world.”